Virgin America announces bag fee change – the airline has changed its baggage fee to a flat $25 rate (up from $20,) for all checked items (excluding the first and second bag for First Class travelers; and the first bag for Main Cabin Select and Main Cabin Refundable Fare travelers).Archive for the ‘Princess Cruises’ Category
Short on Time? Here’s a Recap of Travel in the News
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010Virgin America announces bag fee change – the airline has changed its baggage fee to a flat $25 rate (up from $20,) for all checked items (excluding the first and second bag for First Class travelers; and the first bag for Main Cabin Select and Main Cabin Refundable Fare travelers).
Amazing Princess Cruise Deals
Monday, February 15th, 2010 3 ways to save on 2010 Canada & New Englandand Summer Caribbean vacation This amazing Princess Cruise Deal runs this Wednesday-Friday only! |
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*7-day Caribbean fare based on Caribbean Princess 5/2/10 departure; 9-day Caribbean fare based on Caribbean Princess 5/18/10 departure; 10-day Canada & New England fare based on Crown Princess 10/7/10 departure; 14-day Canada & New England cruisetour fare based on cruisetour 1, Caribbean Princess 10/9/10 departure. Fares for other dates may vary. Summer Caribbean sailings refer to Caribbean sailings between May and September 2010. Fares apply to minimum lead-in categories on a space-available basis at time of booking. Fares are per person, non-air, cruise- or cruisetour-only, based on double occupancy and apply to the first two passengers in a stateroom. These fares do not apply to singles or third/fourth-berth passengers. Fares may remain at discounted level after this promotion. Government fees and taxes of up to $165 per person are additional, are subject to change and may be higher for Canadian residents. This offer is capacity controlled and may not be combinable with any other public, group or past passenger discount, including shipboard credits. Offer is not transferable and is only available to legal residents of the U.S. or Canada who receive this offer. Fares quoted in U.S. dollars. Ask about our optional air add-on program. See the applicable Princess Cruises brochure or princess.com for terms, conditions and definitions that apply to all bookings. Please reference promotion code: R3F.
**Up to $100 USD Cash Back per stateroom refers to an onboard credit, applies to select summer 2010 sailings and varies according to category booked and sailing duration. Passengers booked in an Interior or Oceanview stateroom on a 6- to 9-day voyage will receive an onboard credit of $25 per stateroom; passengers booked in an Interior or Oceanview stateroom on a 10+ day voyage will receive an onboard credit of $50 per stateroom; passengers booked in a Balcony stateroom or above on a 6- to 9-day voyage will receive an onboard credit of $50 per stateroom; and passengers booked in a Balcony stateroom or above on a 10+ day voyage will receive an onboard credit of $100 per stateroom. Reservations must be made and deposited between February 17-19, 2010. Deposits made under this promotion are non-refundable and non-transferable. Offer is applicable to first/second-berth passengers only. Third/fourth-berth passengers are not eligible. Passengers with single occupancy will receive the per stateroom credit amount. Onboard credit may be used on a single voyage only and expires at the end of that voyage. Prior to disembarkation, please visit the Passenger Services Desk onboard to redeem any unused onboard credit. Offer is not transferable, is not combinable with other select offers or other onboard credits and applies to legal residents of the United States or Canada who are 21 years or older. Onboard credit is quoted in U.S. dollars. Void where prohibited by law.
^Free Balcony Upgrades refer to reserving a Balcony stateroom for the price of an Oceanview stateroom. This offer is capacity controlled and may not be combinable with any other public, group or past passenger discount, including shipboard credits. See the applicable Princess Cruises’ brochure or princess.com for terms, conditions and definitions that apply to all bookings.
Exclusive Princess Cruise Two Week Sale
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
Get Ready! Our Two Week Princess Cruise Sale Begins February 10th
Take advantage of the reduced deposit & coupon booklet for most all 2010/2011 published sailings, excluding world cruises and last-minute specials. Offer is combineable with the Princess Balcony Bonanza where you pay the same price for a balcony cabin than you would an ocean view, on hundreds of sailings.
You will receive an ONBOARD COUPON BOOK now valued at $325 per stateroom, plus a REDUCED DEPOSIT of only $100 per person!
Offer is valid for new bookings made and deposited from February 10-24, 2010. Promotion code is CN6.
For the best Princess Cruises offers, shop online for the date and itinerary that best meets your requirements. Our agents are standing by to assist you. Start shopping Princess now on our state of the art cruise Booking System or call a cruise specialist at 800-942-3301.
Become An Honorary Godparent of the Ocean Princess
Friday, December 4th, 2009Princess Cruise Line is having the first ever “virtual christening” of a cruise ship. Princess is celebrating the new name of its ship Ocean Princess (formerly Tahitian Princess,) by extending an opporunity to anyone wishing to become an honorary godparent.
The cruise line is using this opporunity to raise funds for the New England Aquarium. Each new godparent will trigger a $1 donation from Princess to the New England Aquarium, a global leader in ocean exploration and marine conservation, up to $25,000.
In addition to virtually christening the ship and becoming an honorary godparent, participants will be able explore the following areas online:
- Honorary Godparents – Real-time collection of the names of Ocean Princess’ honorary godparents
- Ocean Princess Webcam – Live web cam from the ship
- Ocean Princess Itineraries – Link to Ocean Princess’ extensive list of itineraries
- About the New England Aquarium – Information about this renowned non-profit conservation and research organization
- Ocean Princess Drydock Photo Journal – Pictorial of the ship’s drydock in Singapore
- About Ocean Princess – Details about Ocean Princess and her offerings
- The Small Ships of Princess – Information about the small ships of Princess
One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise and tour company operating a fleet of 17 modern ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided in an environment of exceptional customer service. A recognized leader in worldwide cruising, Princess Cruises offers its passengers the opportunity to escape completely to the top destinations around the globe, with sailings to all seven continents, ranging in length from seven to 107 days.
Biggest Cruise Sale of the Year
Saturday, October 10th, 2009| CLIA World’s Largest Cruise Night |
Many of our preferred suppliers have put together some special offers and incentives so you can take advantage of these great deals, and book the cruise vacation you’ve always dreamed of. Below is a summary of offers. Note that the offers may not start before October 14th and restrictions apply. Call or stop by for additional details.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering a $100 per person shipboard credit booking incentive. Booking window October 1-November 14, 2009. Windstar Cruises is offering a $50 SBC on select Wind Surf and Wind Spirit sailings. Booking window October 14–November 9, 2009. Crystal Cruises is offering a $100 per person discount on most 2009-2010 departures. Booking window October 14–November 7, 2009. Silversea Cruises is offering a $100 per person or $200 per suite discount on any 2009-2011 Silversea Voyage. The Yachts of Seabourn is offering a $100 per booking bonus commission for bookings made during the Virtual WLCN (October 1-31) on request basis when booking is made. Disney Cruise Line is offering up to $100 OBC for January-December 2010 cruises. Booking window October 14–28, 2009. Azamara Cruises is offering up to $500 OBC on select 2010 Europe cruises. Booking window October 14–16, 2009. Celebrity Cruises is offering up to $200 OBC on select January and August 2010 cruises. Booking window October 14–16, 2009. Holland America is offering special 3-Day Sale rates on select 2009-10 cruises. Booking window October 14–16, 2009. Norwegian Cruise Line is offering ship board credits up to $250 Booking window October 13-20 Princess Cruise Line is offering reduced deposit, onboard coupon booklet & ship board credits on select sailings. Booking window Oct 14-16, 2009. |
Princess Cruise Sale – Princess 3 Day Sale
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009
First ever Princess Cruise Line 3 day sale!
Save on relaxing Princess cruises to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Panama Canal and the Mexican Riviera in Spring 2010 with the first ever Princess 3 day sale!
3 ways to save…Book during this limited-time event and receive:
Incredible Savings:
Up to $100 “cash back” per stateroom ^
FREE Balcony Upgardes
Up to $100 “cash back” per stateroom refers to an onboard credit, applies to January-April Caribbean, Mexico, Panama Canal and Hawaii 2010 sailings and varies according to category booked and sailing duration. Passengers booked in an Interior or Oceanview stateroom on a 6-9 day voyage will receive an onboard credit of $25 per stateroom; passengers booked in an Interior or Oceanview stateroom on a 10+ day voyage will receive an onboard credit of $50 per stateroom; passengers booked in a Balcony stateroom or above on a 6-9 day voyage will receive an onboard credit of $50 per stateroom; and passengers booked in an Balcony stateroom or above on a 10+ day voyage will receive an onboard credit of $100 per stateroom. Reservations must be made and deposited between September 10-12, 2009. Deposits made under this promotion are non-refundable and non-transferable. Offer is applicable to first/second-berth passengers only. Third/fourth-berth passengers are not eligible. Passengers with single occupancy will receive the per stateroom credit amount. Onboard credit may be used on a single voyage only and expires at the end of that voyage. Prior to disembarkation, please visit the Passenger Services Desk onboard to redeem any unused onboard credit. Offer is not transferable, is not combinable with other select offers or other onboard credits and applies to legal residents of the United States or Canada. Onboard credit is quoted in U.S. dollars. Void where prohibited by law.
Fares apply to minimum lead-in categories on a space-available basis at time of booking. Fares are per person, non-air, cruise-only, based on double occupancy and apply to the first two passengers in a stateroom. These fares do not apply to singles or third/fourth-berth passengers. Fares may remain at discounted level after this promotion. Government fees and taxes of up to $279.27 per person are additional, are subject to change and may be higher for Canadian residents. Princess reserves the right to impose a Fuel Supplement of up to $9 per person per day on all passengers if the NYMEX oil price exceeds $70 per barrel, even if the fare has already been paid in full. This offer is capacity controlled and may not be combinable with any other public, group or past passenger discount, including shipboard credits. Fares quoted in U.S. dollars. Ask about our optional air add-on program. See the applicable Princess Cruises’ brochure or princess.com for terms, conditions and definitions that apply to all bookings. Please reference promotion code: R3D.
Cruise Ship Dining Options
Sunday, August 23rd, 2009When discussing dining aboard various cruise ship, 
I have to start out with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL,) as they were the first to introduce Freestyle Cruising, which meant a break from traditional dress codes and dining options on cruise ships, to a flexible option. So the first major change was that you did not have to dine at 6 or 8 p.m. You could choose to dine anytime between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. Another big difference was that you did not have to sit at the same table, with the same people every night. Some vacationers really enjoy meeting new people, but other, myself included like to have some romantic time in a table for two. Norwegian also began offering a selection of restaurants. Some NCL ships offer up to 13 dinner options. Not all are free, but many are. Experienced cruisers know that sometimes you are just not in the mood for what is on the menu in the main dining room. On NCL you can choose Italian, Mexican, a steakhouse and more. Five restaurants are currently free of charge, the others range from $10 to $20 per person.
Carnival Cruise Line calls their dining options “Your Choice Dining.” You can select the traditional early seating at 6 p.m. or the late dining at 8:15 p.m. or you can choice Your Time Dining. With this option you show up at the dining room anytime between 5:45 and 9:30 p.m. There are no reservations required. It is possible you will have to wait a bit for a specific table size, such as a table for 2. Most Carnival ships now have a steakhouse, sushi bar and European Style cafe. The new Carnival Dream which debuts this September, will have more dining options than any other Carnival ship. One new venue will be “The Gathering,” which is a two-level eatery offering breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. It will offer Italian, Asian, Mongolian, Tex-Mex and new choices including a pasta and burrito bar. where you can make your own custom dishes from their selection of meats and accompaniments.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCI) announced earlier this year enhancements to their dining program. In addition to main and second seating, there are 2 new plans: My Time Dining and My Family Time Dining. As with other cruise lines flexible plans, you will not have a preassigned table in the main dining room. The difference is RCI will allow you to make reservations or you can choose to arrive at whatever time you want. For those with children ages 3 to 11, the My Family Time Dining will offer an expedited 40 minute dinner during the main seating dining. Then around 6:45, a youth counselor will come to gather the kids that want to go back to the kids club for evening activities. This is a great program, as I cruise with my two nieces each year, and it never fails that in the middle of dinner, my sister has to get up and take the kids to the Adventure Ocean Club, and by the time she gets back her dinner is cold or gone from the table. This new program ensure parents will enjoy their dinner and children can get to the kids club to enjoy their time as well. Royal Caribbean requires that guests pre-pay gratuities if they elect these flexible dining options. This means you will pay the gratuities at the time you pay the final payment for your cruise.
Princess Cruise Line: Princess also offers traditional dining at 6 or 8:30 p.m. Their other option is called “Personal Choice Dining.” You can also make reservations at the same time each day, or you can show up at the dining room when you are ready to eat. If you like your waiter, you can reserve the same table each night of the cruise by speaking to the Maitre D’. As with Royal Caribbean, Princess automatically charges gratuities of $10 per day per guest for those that have Personal Choice Dining to be shared among wait staff. However, it is charged to your ship board account, rather than having to pay up front like RCI.
Some clients prefer that cruise lines not “nickel and dime them” by charging for the specialty restaurants, but I always remind them these are just options for those that want something different – there are always plenty of free meals throughout the ship.
I applaud cruise lines for giving vacationers options. Some people really look forward to sitting at a large table at the same time every night and meeting new people. They also enjoy the fact that the waiters gets to know their likes and dislikes during the cruise. Others prefer the private time for two. The only draw back about dining at any time, is perhaps having to wait for a table for 20 to 30 minutes during peak dining times if you did not pre-reserve a table, but how many of us have waited in line our favorite restaurant?
Shortly after this blog we posted, we received information on Celebrity Cruise Line’s Flexible dining program…click here for details.
Wyland Paints Dolphins in Ruby Princess Pool
Thursday, August 20th, 2009Princess Cruises Passengers Watch as Wyland Paints Dolphins on Bottom of Neptune Pool
Wyland has always been one of my favorite artists. We currently have two of his paintings in the reception area of our travel agency. Marine life artist Wyland is an accomplished painter, sculptor, photographer, writer and SCUBA diver. His non-profit Wyland Foundation has supported numerous conservation programs since 1993, including the monumental Whaling Wall mural project – and epic series of more than 100 life-size marine life murals that spans 14 countries on four continents and is viewed by an estimated 1 billion people every year
In a press release issued today, Princess announced that guests sailing onboard the Ruby Princess witnesses an unexpected live art event, as famed marine life artist Wyland painted an unusual canvas – the bottom of the ship’s Neptune Pool.
Known worldwide for his unique works featuring sea animals, Wyland is aboard the ship for special art events and meet and greets with passengers. However, painting the ship’s pool was not on his original agenda. Ruby Princess Captain Tony Draper suggested the idea to the artist after being inspired by watching ship crew members painting the Princess “seawitch” logo on the bottom of the ship’s other main pool.
A first for the cruise line, Wyland agreed to paint the mother dolphin and her baby as a way to increase awareness of his conservation message. Passengers were invited to follow along with a live top-deck event hosted by the ship’s cruise director, including live video of the painting in progress broadcast on the ship’s Movies Under the Stars screen.
“This is certainly one of the most unusual ways we’ve ever painted a pool,” said Jan Swartz, Princess executive vice president. “But it’s a wonderful way to work with Wyland to address our shared concern with the importance of marine conservation, and to give our passengers a unique experience as they witnessed a one-of-a-kind artwork taking shape.”
Passengers were able to enjoy watching the artist at work just prior to the ship’s arrival into the Venice canal system.
Wyland and Princess Cruises have a long-time association. Many Princess ships incorporate his sculptures in the swimming pool areas, and are featured in his latest book “100 Whaling Walls.” Wyland’s artwork is also featured in the ships’ onboard art galleries.
Ruby Princess is currently sailing on 12-day Grand Mediterranean voyages between Barcelona and Venice, with calls at Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa, Rome, Naples/Capri, Mykonos, Istanbul, Kusadasi, and Athens.
Want to sail on the Ruby Princess closer to home? The ship will be sailing 10 night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from October 25th through her last Caribbean sailing on April 9, 2010, before sailing back to Europe. Atlas has several departures that include added amenities such as shipboard credits, specialty dining and more. Call 800-942-3301 for more details.
For more posts about Princess Cruise Line click here
Princess Cruise Deals
Thursday, July 30th, 2009Exclusive 1 month Princess Sale!
Take advantage of the reduced deposit & coupon booklet for most all 2009, 2010 & 2011 published sailings, excluding world cruises and last minute specials. Sale begins July 31st!
Receive an ONBOARD COUPON BOOK now valued at $325 per stateroom, plus a REDUCED DEPOSIT of only $100 per person on select sailings.
FEATURE DATE: 2009/2010/2011 Voyages excluding sailings less than 7 days.
AMENITIES: Combinable with group amenities. Over 100 sailings offer value added amenities such as ship board credit, specialty dining and more.
BONUS OFFER: $325 Value Princess Coupon Book.
APPLICABLE FARES:
Group, Escape Fares, Regional and Past Passenger fares.
FLASH promotions are not combinable with this offer.
BOOKING WINDOW: August 1 – August 31, 2009
Some restrictions may apply. Please call for details.
Princess Cruises Oberammergau Passion Play
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009
Posted: July 17th, 2009
Author: Princess Cruise Line
Category: Cruise News | Oberammergau
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (July 17, 2009) — Princess has added a rare opportunity to its 2010 cruisetour lineup in Europe — a unique cruisetour designed to include the famed Oberammergau Passion Play, which is performed only once each decade in this small Bavarian village in Germany.
The new 18-day “Oberammergau & Highlights of Germany” tour features two nights in the southern German town of Oberammergau, and includes tickets to the event. Passengers will also visit a variety of other top German destinations during the eight-day land tour, including Frankfurt, the Black Forest, Munich Nuremberg and Berlin. In addition, the tour will connect seamlessly with a 10-day Scandinavia/Russia cruise aboard Star Princess. Two departures are offered on August 2 and August 12, 2010.
“This is such a unique opportunity, one that literally only comes around once every 10 years,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “This new cruisetour makes it easy to enjoy this famous event, plus take in many of the other attractions for which Germany is famous, coupled with one of our wonderful cruises through the Baltic region. This is yet another example of our commitment to provide our passengers with fascinating experiences around the world.”
The Oberammergau Passion Play has been held every ten years since 1634 in thanksgiving for deliverance from the Black Death in 1633. The play is now performed in years ending with a zero (except 1984 which was the 350th anniversary), and involves more than 2000 actors, singers, instrumentalists and technicians, all of whom are residents of the village. All cast members have lived in the village at least 20 years and must be amateurs of high moral and ethical principles. Villagers also make all the costumes for the production and, as no wigs are used, participants must grow their hair and beards for several months prior to the performances.
The “Oberammergau & Highlights of Germany” cruisetour is one of Princess’ four Europe cruisetour options available next season. Travelers can also opt for the 18-day “Europe’s Imperial Treasures,” which features the cathedrals and castles of four capitals that have figured prominently in history — Budapest, Vienna, Prague and Berlin — and includes a Star Princess Scandinavia and Russia sailing. The 17-day “Classic Italy” tour offers the charms of Florence and Rome, and can connect to a number of Princess’ Mediterranean sailings. The 16-day “Ring of Kerry” tour offers some of the Emerald Isle’s most inspiring landscapes with visits to Shannon, Killarney and Cork, plus a Crown Princess British Isles cruise.
Fares for the 18-day Oberammergau cruisetour begin at $5,319 per person, based on double occupancy. Capacity is limited on these special tours, and could fill quickly. Call for details.
